Post on 07-Feb-2018
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NASA/TM-,"./_-_208100
f
Magnesium-aluminum-zirconium oxide amorphous ternary
composite: a dense and stable optical coating
ABSTRACT
In the present work, the process parameter dependent optical and structural
properties of MgO-A1203-ZrO 2 ternary mixed-composite material have been
investigated. Optical properties were derived from spectrophotometric measurements.
The surface morphology, grain size distributions, crystallographic phases and process
dependent material composition of films have been investigated through the use of
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction analysis and Energy Dispersive X-
ray (EDX) analysis. EDX analysis made evident the correlation between the optical
constants and the process dependent compositions in the films. It is possible to achieve
environmentally stable amorphous films with high packing density under certain
optimized process conditions.
Key Words: Optical coatings, thin films, mixed-composite-films, zirconium dioxide, magnesium
oxide, aluminum oxide, inhomogeneity, atomic force microscopy, surface
roughness, optical constants, X-ray diffraction, EDX-analysis, solid solution.
2
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19980111126 2018-04-30T07:06:49+00:00Z
Information Page
Magnesium-aluminum-zirconium oxide amorphous ternarycomposite: a dense and stable optical coating
By
N. K. Sahoo" and A. P. ShapiroNASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Mail Code: EB52, Huntsville, AL 35812
Address for Correspondence:
A. P. ShapiroNASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Mail Code: EB52, Huntsville, AL 35812
E-mail: alan.shapiro@msfc.nasa.gov
1. Information Page : 1page
2. Title Page : 1page
3. Abstract : 1page
4. Text : 12pages
5. References : 3pages
6. Caption to Tables : 1page
7. Caption to Figures : 3pages8. Tables : 2
9. Figures : 25
10. Manuscript with items 1 to 9 (original figures and tables) and four
copies are enclosed.
"Permanent Address: Spectroscopy Division, BARC, Bombay-40085, India.
Title Page
Magnesium-aluminum-zirconium oxide amorphous ternarycomposite: a dense and stable optical coating
By
N, K. Sahoo ° and A. P. ShapiroNASA/- George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Mail Code: EB52,
MSFC, Huntsville, AL 35812
"Permanent Address: Spectroscopy Division, BARC, Bombay-40085, India
Magnesium-aluminum-zirconium oxide amorphous ternarycomposite: a dense and stable optical coating
ABSTRACT
In the present work, the process parameter dependent optical and structural
properties of MgO-A1203-ZrO2 ternary mixed-composite material have been
investigated. Optical properties were derived from spectrophotometric measurements.
The surface morphology, grain'size distributions, crystallographic phases and process
dependent material composition of films have been investigated through the use of
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction analysis and Energy Dispersive X-
ray (EDX) analysis. EDX analysis made evident the correlation between the optical
constants and the process dependent compositions in the films. It is possible to achieve
environmentally stable amorphous films with high packing density under certain
optimized process conditions.
Key Werds" Optical coatings, thin films, mixed-composite-films, zirconium dioxide, magnesium
oxide, aluminum oxide, inhomogeneity, atomic force microscopy, surface
roughness, optical constants, X-ray diffraction, EDX-analysis, solid solution.
2
Magnesium-aluminum-zirconium oxide amorphous ternary
composite: a dense and stable optical coating
1. Introduction
The post-deposition instability of conventional physical-vapor-deposited,
refractory-oxide-thin-films has persisted as a major obstacle in optical coating
technology. _ Precision filters which make use of such films suffer from water vapor
induced spectral shift. In typical electron beam deposited coatings, the root cause of
this undesirable feature is Columnar growth structure.1-3 This structure contains void
distributions and grain boundaries which allow water vapor to adsorb and desorb from
the film leading to substantial instabilities in optical and mechanical properties. One of
the possible approaches to eliminate such a growth condition is to provide more kinetic
energy to the vapor molecules. This leads to greater mobility during the condensation
process thereby leading to higher packing density. 1.4 Alternately, one may mix several
materials in the vapor state to achieve similar results, s Among the various film growth
structures, it is always preferable to have a amorphous (or glassy) film structure for
better stability and improved optical properties as opposed to the usual polycrystalline
or very rare crystalline structures. 6,7 The amorphous structure is also important in
reducing the bulk scattering losses in the films. 6 Over the years, such growth conditions
have been achieved by various advanced techniques which include reactive sputtering,
ion beam sputtering (IBS), plasma ion-assisted deposition, etc. 8_ Such techniques are
quite complex and some times difficult to implement for the non-quarterwave coating
design. In recent years, composite films are gaining the attention of researchers
attempting to develop more stable optical coatings. It has been already established that
it is possible to achieve novel film properties by mixing various thin film materials either
during the vapor stage or as a solid solution. 12 Since co-deposition techniques require
very high quality process calibration and control, composite materials in solid solutions
are favorable because of the simplified deposition process. 12.1s It has been reported by
various investigators that it is possible to stabilize the tetragonal or cubic phase in ZrO2
by adding various other refractory oxides which include MgO, CaO, A1203, Y203, etc. 14
Some of the binary composites have excellent process modulated index tunability. Our
earlier work on ZrO2MgO binary system has shown a very interesting oxygen dependent
refractive index tunability for the films deposited from the solid solution. _2 The majority
of earlier reports on other partially stabilized binary systems have reported
polycrystalline film structures. Is So far, a very limited amount work has been
3
performed on ternary composite systems. In the present work, we have carried out
extensive investigations on MgO-Al203-ZrO2 ternary system and optimized the process
to highly stable optical coatings. Interestingly, it has been observed that cubic structure
typical to ZrO2MgO system has been completely eliminated by adding the third
component A1203 to the solid solution. The flms evaporated from the ternary composite
have a highly amorphous structure, which is the most preferable growth condition for
high spectral quality and environmentally stable optical coatings.
2. Earlier Research on Partial Stabilized Zirconia Films
Historically, Zirconla (ZrO2) has played a very important role in optical coating
technology because of its superior properties such as high refractive index, high melting
temperature, hardness, low thermal conductivity, better corrosion resistance, extended
spectral transmission, better compatibility with SiO2 and stability for high power laser
applicaUons. _4._6-17 The polymorphic nature of ZrO2 is very well known and has been the
subject of many studies. Partially stabilized zirconias (PSZ's) are mostly two-phase
ceramics that have optical and mechanical properties generally superior to those of fully
stabilized bodies. The main advantage of PSZ over fully stabilized zirconia is its low
overall thermal expansion coefficient. _8,_9 It is possible to stabilize the tetragonal,
monoclinic or cubic phase in the material by adding suitable quantities of various other
refractory oxides to zirconia which include MgO, In203, Y203, CaO, A1203, Sc203, SnO2,
ZnO, CeO, etc. Very interestingly, some of these refractory oxides have exhibited
extended solid solubility in ZrO2 yielding very different optical and structural
properties. 12 A variety of structural symmetries can be achieved through the addition
different amounts of stabilizing solutes to the ZrO2 host. It has been reported by Qadri
and coworkers that the cubic phase can be conveniently achieved in electron beam co-
evaporated zirconia-zincia thin films. TM Gilmore and his coworker reported achieving
the tetragonal phase in magnetron sputtered ZrO2-AI203 films. 2° Tsai and co-worker
reported that the off-axis grown yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) films exhibit atomically
smooth interfaces. Is It is generally accepted, however, that the most useful mechanical
properties are obtained by partial stabilization so that, most frequently, a two or three-
phase microstructure results. During earlier investigations, experimenters reported that
the improved properties in partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) materials were due to the
simultaneous presence of both monoclinic and cubic structures. Subsequently it was
reported that it is possible to achieve a room temperature stable tetragonal phase by
adding a suitable amount of CaO to zirconia. 18 Although the results on binary mixtures
are very interesting and benefited number of technological programs, not much work
4
has been performed with ternary mixtures. There are a few reports available on
zirconia-magnesia-ceria ternary compositions. Ruff and co-workers have reported some
results on ZrO2-ThO2-CaO, ZrO2-ThO2-MgO, ZrO2-BeO-CaO and ZrOR-BeO-CeO2 ternary
systems. 21-22 On the basis of the results presented in these experiments, it is observed
that the melting point of zirconia can be lowered by addition of the third component
CeO2. So far no investigations have been carried out on optical and physical properties
of ternary systems. In the present study we have investigated optical and structural
properties of a very interesUng ternary composite, MgO-AI203-ZrO2. evaporated from a
solid solution. Earlier investigations report that zirconia can be stabilized to a cubic
phase with the addition of MgO, where as the addition of A1203 leads to tetragonal
phase. 2° During the present investigation, we have observed that, when both A1203 and
MgO are present in the composite, both of the above phases disappear leading to most
desirable amorphous condition. Very interesting non-linear optical and structural
inhomogeneities have been ol_served in films deposited under various deposition
conditions. It is also possible to obtain very high packing density in the composite
leading to practically negligible air-to-vacuum shift in the spectral characteristics of the
coatings.
3. Experimental Details
The Balzers BAK-760 coating system, optical monitor, and other analytical
equipment used for this experiment has been described elsewhere in detail. 12 We
deposited ternary composite films on 25-mm-diameter, 3- to 5- mm-thick optically
polished quartz and BK7 substrates by evaporating optical grade MgO-AIROa-ZrO2 solid
solution typically 99.0% pure (M/s CERAC Inc., supplied, stock number M-1126). A
total of over twenty samples deposited under various process conditions were prepared
for the present optimization study. When a particular parameter was varied, the other
parameters were kept constant at an optimum value to observe the distinct changes in
the optical and structural properties of the film. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis
confirmed the presence of a trace amount of Ca in some of the thin film samples.
During e-beam evaporation from a crucible, this material has a tendency to form
towering structures of 1-2" in height that somewhat resemble stalagmites. One has to
take necessary precaution while using multi-crucible sources for the deposition because
such growths may obstruct the crucible rotation while switching between the materials.
Careful pre-conditioning designed to initially obtain a level, uniform melt sometimes
reduces this undesirable behavior. During this investigation, the pre- and post-
deposition transmittance and reflectance spectra of the films were recorded with the
5
BALZERS GSM-420 broadband, optical monitor/controller over 350-975nm. Post-
deposition spectral characteristics over an extended wavelength region (200-2000nm)
were recorded using a Perkin-Elmer Lamda-19 UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The
mean optical constants were derived by use of "SPECTR" software developed by
Sahoo. 12 This software has a special provision to draw the computer generated
envelopes for the transmittance and reflectance extrema even for the films that have
highly non-linear inhomogeneity. 23.24 The semi-quantitative process dependent
compositions of the films were determined by EDX analysis. The Surface morphologies
of selected coatings were investigated using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Surface topography, bearing ratio and power spectral densities of coatings were
analyzed using a Topometrix TMX 2000 series atomic force microscope. Structural
properties of the films were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis carried out on
Rigaku (USA) diffractometer system.
4. Films with Non-linear and Mixed Inhomogeneity
It has been observed during online spectral monitoring of the films under certain
deposition condition that index of refraction varied continuously along the growth
direction in several non-linear fashions. Such non-linear and mixed inhomogeneities
have very interesting effects on overall spectral characteristics of the coatings. We have
already discussed these effects in our earlier investigations on ZrO2MgO binary
system, z2 Most recently, an extensive theoretical analysis has been published by
Tikhanravov et al., on influences of mixed inhomogeneities on the spectral
characteristics of single thin films. 2s It is interesting to note that the transmittance
and reflectance extrema in films of this type show considerable modulation which is
very different than in films with linear inhomogeneity. In linear inhomogeneity, the
change in spectral amplitude becomes more prominent for the wavelengths that satisfy
the relationship: 25
_.,, _ 2.n.zj m=1,2,3 .... .. , (i)m
where the various notations in this equation are as per the reference-25. In case
n>ns>na, the wavelengths km corresponds to transmittance maxima (reflectance
minima). In films with non-linear inhomogeneity, the interference extrema modulation
depends on the extent and quality of the non-linear growth. For a weakly absorbing
dielectric film with a functional index inhomogeneity of rT(z), the modulation in
reflectance and transmittance amplitudes at normal incidence are given by the following
analytical expressions:
6
4 z 2.zr.n _" V, _ ( 2nnz n, 2nnz'_ ]
t_R(X) =- _.---_--T(:_)Jlm.,,o l _/_r()_) cos--+ {21i.nSin-- j . (z)Jdz ,
and
4.n'.n _ _( 2nnz n, 2nnz_ 2b'T(Z) =-SR(A,)+--7----T(Z)Ilcos---v--+i " sin---V--/ Im[g(z)]dz , (31
,_.n, _\ A, n A, )
where the various terms have their meanings as per the reference-25. If the function
,q(z) is smooth so that its derivatives, including higher order terms, can be neglected,
then the above expressions can be assessed more conveniently. In case of highly non-
linear index functions, the computation of amplitudes of spectral modulation is very
complex. These expressions also can be used for films with mixed modes of
inhomogeneity (i.e. mixture of both homogeneous and inhomogeneous growth profiles).
These mixed inhomogeneities are very frequently observed in composite films. _2
In case of our present studies, we observed the most intense modulation to be in
weakly absorbing region of the spectra (i.e. near-UV and UV region). The derivation of
optical constants for such films from spectrophotometric measurements alone is
extremely difficult. Sometimes numerical modeling helps in getting a starting solution
for the computation. Fortunately the interference peak positions are very weakly
affected by changes in index inhomogeneities. 26.27 As a result, it is possible to compute
the mean refractive index from the order of the peaks, peak positions and physical
thickness as described by our earlier work. In such case, information from quartz
crystal data, on-line optical monitoring values and thickness of the films measured by
an Independent technique appreciably improves the computational accuracy. Also, it is
known that for a film with small inhomogeneity, the best fit with a homogeneous film
model is obtained with a refractive index that is close to the geometrical mean of the
refractive index values at the physical boundaries (i.e. the top and bottom) of the
inhomogeneous film. 25 Computation of mean optical constants for non-linear
inhomogeneous films has been discussed extensively in our earlier work on ZrO2MgO
binary composite films. 12 The same procedure has been adopted to derive optical
constants of the present ternary films. The modulated experimental reflectance and
transmittance of two non-linear inhomogeneous films have been depicted in Fig. 1 and
Fig. 2. It is also observed that it is possible to obtain fairly homogeneous growth
structure under ambient as well as higher substrate temperature as shown in Fig.3. It
is observed that the mean refractive indexes of the films (nm) follow a four-parameter
Cauchy dispersion equation as follows:
a2 a 3 a4
n. (:l,) =a I +_-+ _T +-_-7 (4)1
7
where al, a2, a3 and a4 are the coefficients for fitting. In Table-I, Cauchy coefficients
for the films deposited under various substrate temperature (same rate and oxygen
pressure) have been presented. The mean extinction coefficients (kin) of these films
follow a four-parameter logistic dispersion equation as follows:
a
In this equation, the parameter a is the asymptotic maximum, b is the slope parameter,
c is the value at inflexion point of the curve and d is a symmetry parameter. The values
of the coefficients for the films deposited under varying substrate temperature are given
in Table-2.
5. Effect of Substrate Temperature
Substrate temperature" has a very prominent effect on optical constants as well
as structural properties in this composite. The films grown under ambient conditions
show a fairly homogeneous growth structure. It is worth mentioning that even at
ambient conditions the f'flms have very high packing densities. The pre- and post-
deposition transmittance characteristic of one such film is depicted in Fig. 4, where it
can easily be seen that there is infinitesimal air-to-vacuum shift. The films are fairly
homogeneous at the two extreme experimental temperatures as shown in Fig. 3. The
rates and oxygen pressures were maintained at 0.4 nm/s and base pressure,
respectively, as the substrate temperature was varied. At all other temperatures, non-
linear inhomogeneity was the dominant growth structure and this is evident in the
transmittance and reflectance spectra. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, such a behavior is depicted
for two different substrate temperatures and oxygen pressures. The films grown at
ambient temperature have the minimum index as shown in Fig. 5. When the substrate
temperature was increased from ambient to 125 °C, the corresponding refractive index
increased from 1.68 to -1.86 @ _.=600nm and then decreased to 1.78 with the further
increase of temperature to 175 °C. When the temperature is increased beyond 175 °C,
the refractive index value improved and it approached saturation above 237 °C. This
interesting behavior is most likely due to temperature dependent compositional changes
in the films, which are clearly evident in the EDX analysis. The mean extinction
coefficients also have shown a similar behavior. There is a remarkable improvement in
these coefficients in the temperature ranges between 150 to 200 °C as shown in Fig. 6.
Excluding the dip in the curve, the variation in refractive index as a function of
substrate temperature approximately follows the trend one might expect for
8
conventional dielectrics. Typically, the refractive index monotonically improves as
temperature increases, up to an optimal value, due to higher mobility that leads to
better packing density and improved order in the film.l Extinction coefficients typically
improve with higher substrate temperatures, once again up to a limiting maximum
temperature. Crystallographic, structural, and compositional changes, however, may
alter the conventional trends.
6. Effect of Rate of Evaporation
Rate has a very distinct influence on optical constants as well as structural
properties of the composite films under present investigation. As it is well known, the
amount of kinetic energy that the vapor atoms carry after leaving the source is
dependent upon the rate of deposition. 16 This influences the mobility of the atoms
during nucleation and growth of the films on the substrate. During the rate variation,
the substrates' temperatures and oxygen pressures were maintained constant at 162 °C
and Ix10 °4 mbar respectively. It is observed that the rate of evaporation has an
optimum value that leads to the improved and favorable optical constants. We found
this value to be 1 nm/s for our present set of conditions. Further increases in the rate
deteriorated the index value appreciably, as shown in the Fig. 7. Similar trend was also
observed for the mean extinction coefficients. The extinction coefficient values became
higher for the films deposited rate more than lnm/s, as depicted in Fig. 8. Such
behavior can be attributed to various compositional changes that occur due to the
dynamics of the nucleation and growth process under different rates of deposition.
In conventional films, both refractive indices typically improve monotonically to
optimum values (higher refractive index and lower extinction coefficient) as rate
increases to an optimum value due to improved vapor energy and mobility. Beyond an
optimum rate, incomplete relaxation occurs along with trapping of gases in voids
leading to decreased index and higher roughness, l In the present ternary films, the
refractive index follows this trend, whereas the extinction coefficient remains
consistently low except at the fastest rate.
7. Effect of Oxygen Pressure
Oxygen pressure also has a very pronounced effect on the films growth
conditions. During variation of oxygen pressure, the substrates' temperatures and
deposition rates were maintained at 162 °C and 0.4 nm/s respectively. The optical
constants showed an optimum value for the films deposited at 5x10 -s mbar as shown in
9
the Fig. 9. On both side of this value the index shows a downward trend. The slope for
mean refractive index above 3x10 -4 mbar is steeper compared to that of lower oxygen
values. It is interesting to note that the oxygen enrichment factor is not as high as in
the case of binary composites. 28 The extinction coefficients increase in value at higher
oxygen pressure, especially for the films deposited above 3x10 -4 mbar as depicted in
Fig. I 0. It is interesting to note from the EDX results that relative amount of Zr in the
films became higher than AI at higher oxygen pressures above 6x10 -4 mbar. This might
be due to a relatively longer mean free path for the higher atomic mass Zr material in
the oxygen or perhaps to a superior accommodation coefficient of Zr under higher
oxygen pressure. 12
With reactive evaporation of most dielectric oxides, both refractive indices
typically improve monotonically to optimum values (higher refractive index and lower
extinction coefficient) as oxygen pressure increases to an optimum value due to
improved oxidation of the film. materials. I Beyond an optimum pressure, the energy of
impinging material declines as the mean free path declines. In addition, excessive
trapping of gases in voids occurs. Once again these effects lead to decreased index and
higher roughness. In the present temary films, the refractive index follows this trend,
whereas the extinction coefficient remains consistently low except at the higher
pressures.
8. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) Analysis
We have used atomic force microscopy to investigate the surface topography
both qualitatively and quantitatively. The equipment used for this investigation is a
Topometrix TMX 2000 series Explorer AFM. The probes used for the scans are the
standard triangular cantilever types (AFM tips-1520) with a typical spring constant of
0.032 N/m. The surface morphology of a film deposited with a substrate temperature of
162 °C, deposition rate of I nm/s and oxygen pressure of 2x10 -4 mbar is depicted in
Fig. 11. The power spectral density (PSD) function resulting from topographic
measurements provide much qualitative information on the surface profile and grain
structure in thin films. It is well known in topographic analysis that the roughness is
proportional to the area under the curve for each PSD plot. 29 The evolution of
roughness can be very well described based on the transitions in PSD plots. The
statistical PSD function (P(k)) is defined as the square of the magnitude of the Fourier
transform of the surface profile; it provides pertinent information concerning the
I0
amplitude of the surface features as a function of lateral spatial frequency. From a line
height profile Z(x), the P(k) function is derived as 3°
P ( k ) = dx. e . Z ( x ) in units of A2gm, (6)
where L ts the scan length in gm, Z(x) the line height profile in A and k the spatl_
frequency in gm -1. The bearing ratio, which is defined as the percentage of total data
appearing above the selected Z-height, also helps in presenting the distribution of
various sizes of grains in the sample. The temperature, rate and oxygen pressure
dependent PSD function and bearing ratio {BR) plots are depleted in the Figs. 12-17. It
can be seen from Fig. 12, that the grain size and surface roughness is the highest for
the films deposited at a substrate temperature of 175 °12. The films deposited at highest
substrate temperature have shown the lowest surface roughness as well as smaller
grain size. But like refractive Index plots, the temperature dependent roughness also
has shown a very interesting modulative effect between 125-190 °C. The films deposited
at both the highest and lowest rates of evaporation have shown higher roughness values
as compared with intermediate rates of deposition. Films deposited between 0.6-1.0
nm/s have the minimum roughness, as shown in the Fig. 13. The films deposited
under base pressure have smoother surface profiles that those deposited at high oxygen
pressure, as depleted in the Fig. 14. Films deposited at 8x10 -4 mbar have very high
roughness values. Bearing ratio plots for the films deposited under different process
parameters have been depicted in Figs. 15-17. The BR plot for the film deposited under
our highest experimental oxygen pressure are most distinctive, indicative of a very
rough surface.
9. X-ray Diffraction Analysis
X-ray diffraction measurements were carried out on a Rigaku {USA)
diffraetometer with Cu(KQ (_.=1.5418 A) radiation. The angular resolution was .02 ° for
each sample. Since the films were deposited on quartz as well as BK7 substrates, the
short-range order of SiO2 contributes to the background structure, especially in the
lower 20 region. Diffraction spectra from most of the samples have shown completely
amorphous structure. Films grown at higher deposition rates and lower oxygen
pressure, however, show an extremely weak tetragonal phase as depicted in the Fig. 18.
The films deposited at both ambient and at the highest experimental temperatures are
the most completely amorphous, as shown in the Fig. 19. This characteristic is most
likely due to the presence of higher relative quantities of A1203 in the sample. Earlier
works by Glimore and co-worker on ZrO2+AI203 composite have indicated amorphous
11
structure in their reactive magnetron sputtered films. 2° The phase diagram of zirconia
and alumina has been reported to be of eutectic type with a very low solid phase
solubility factor. 2° It is also reported that it is possible to convert the amorphous
structures to a stable tetragonal phase with suitable post-annealing. Our experiments
have shown that the rate of evaporation has more prominent effect on the
crystallographic phase as compared to substrate temperature and oxygen pressure as
shown in Fig. 18.
10. Compositional Analysis by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray (EDX)
In order to determine the cause of large variation in the optical constants in
films prepared under varied deposition conditions, we tried to investigate the variation
in composition in the samples. Other investigators have pointed out that the relative
amounts of either A1203 or MgO in binary solution with ZrO2 substantially affects the
optical and structural properties. In order to measure the relative amount of Zr, AI, Mg
and 02 in our samples, we performed relative compositional analysis using the energy
dispersive X-ray (EDX) feature available in a 4Pi Environmental Scanning Electron
Microscope, model Spectral Engine-II. The electron beam energy used was I0 KeV with
a Detector resolution of 145 eV. The carbon peak at 0.25KeV is the usual peak
associated with hydrocarbon contamination nearly always present on samples
introduced from the laboratory environments. Most of the films have shown the
presence of a trace amount of Ca in the samples (also indicated by the supplier). A
typical EDX spectrum, shown for the film deposited at substrate temperature of 188 °C,
rate 0.4 nm/s and without additional oxygen, is depicted in Fig. 20. Comparisons
between the material composition and optical constants in films deposited under
varying process conditions reveal very interesting, but complex, relationships. The
relative amount of Zr in the composite films varied drastically as a function of oxygen
pressure in a non-systematic fashion as shown in Fig. 21. The lowest index occurs at
the highest oxygen pressure where Zr content reaches a maximum; however, the lowest
Zr content does not correspond to the highest index value. Regarding variations in
composition as a function of deposition rate, the largest compositional variation occurs
at the minimum deposition rate value of 4 nm/s (Fig. 22). At this value, the relative
amount of Zr is drastically lower and Mg is slightly higher, whereas the index of
refraction is rather low. At other deposition rate values, there is minimal variation in
composition with moderate change in index. EDX analysis of the films deposited with
various substrate temperatures (Fig. 23) have clearly indicated the relative increase in
Zr content with the temperature except at our highest experimental temperature. There
12
is some complex modulation of the relative composition of Mg and 02 as a function of
temperature. Overall, it is difficult to establish any suitable functional dependence
between the compositions and mean optical constants. This is, most probably, due to
very complex growth structure of the ternary composite film involving four elements (Zr,
Al, Mg and 02) that are affected by the dynamics of the nucleation process on the
substrate surface.
11. Metal Dielectric Spectral Selective Solar Filter
Using this composite material, we have been able to start development of a
highly stable pre-filter coating for a solar vector magnetograph instrument. It is well
known the most populm," metals like Ag, Au and Al have better film properties when
deposited under ambient conditions. Metallic films mostly carry a tensile stress. 31 When
combined with dielectrics, one has to use a dielectric with compressive stress or very
low tensile stress in order to develop stable multilayer metal-dielectric filters, especially
when number of metal layers is high in the device. Most conventional dielectrics have
very inferior optical properties when deposited under ambient conditions. Most of the
time, the post-deposition behavior is very unstable in devices that make use of such
dielectrics. The MgO-Al203-ZrO2 ternary composite used in this study has excellent
optical and mechanical properties even under ambient conditions. Because of overall
low residual stress, it is an ideal material for developing metal-dielectric filter. The high
packing density of the films even at ambient conditions makes the post-deposition
spectral characteristic very stable as is evident in comparisons between the
measurements in air and vacuum. In Figs. 24 and 25, we have shown the experimental
spectral characteristics of two different developmental metal-dielectric filters measured
in air as well as vacuum. The typical design for these filters (Fig. 25) is as follows:
Sub. (72.48T 15.77M 132.33T 15.55M 432.48T 14.66M 134.12T 23.93M 727.71T 13.03M 78.7Tr)Air,
where T is the ternary composite layer and M is the silver layer. All the design
thicknesses are given in nm (physical thickness). Silver thicknesses in this design are
constrained to remain more than a critical thickness in order to avoid island growth and
the high stress regions. 32
12. Conclusion
The process parameter dependent optical and structural properties of MgO-
AlRO3-ZrO2 ternary composite films have been investigated in detail. A highly stable,
stress-free, amorphous structure has been achieved in these films ideal for development
13
of environmentally stable optical coatings. The stress-free feature has enabled
development of stable, precision metal-dielectric multilayer filters. This composite also
has very interesting non-linear inhomogeneous properties as is evident in the
transmittance and reflectance spectra. It may be possible to make use of such behavior
to develop rugate filters. It is also possible to achieve the homogeneous growth
conditions, which can be utilized in development of conventional optical coatings. It is
difficult at this point to establish a suitable functional dependence between various
elementary compositions and optical properties of the ternary film. Such an
understanding may be possible with more complex on-line analysis and modeling of the
deposition-parameter-dependent-nucleatlon process in these films.
13. Acknowledgment
This research was performed while N.K. Sahoo held a National Research
Council-NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Research Associateship. The
authors acknowledge the help of Marcus Vlasse of MSFC in carrying out the x-ray
diffraction analysis and are also grateful to him for the useful technical discussions in
interpreting the data. The authors also acknowledge the help of J.E. Coston of MSFC in
performing EDX and SEM analysis.
14
14. References
I. H.K. Pulker and K.H. Guenther, "Reactive physical vapor deposition processes", in Thin
Films for Optical Systems, F. R. Flory ed. (Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 1995), Chap. 4,
p. 91-115.
2. M. Harris, H.A. Macleod, S. Ogura, E. Pelletier and B. Vidal, "The relationship between
optical inhomogeneity and film structure," Thin Solid Films 57, 173-178 (1979)
3. S. Ogura, "Dynamic characteristics in optically inhomogeneous films," in Thin Films for
optical systems, K.H. Guenther ed., Proc. SPIE 1782, 377-388 (1992)
4. P.J. Martin, R.P. Netterfield and W.G. Sainty, "Modification of the optical and structural
properties of dielectric ZrO2 films by ion-assisted deposition," J. Appl. Phys. 55, 235-241
(1984)
5. D.M. Sanders, E.N. Farabaugh and W.K. Hailer, "Glassy optical coatings by multi-source
evaporation", in Thin Film Technologies and Special Applications, W.R. Hunter, ed., Proc.
SPIE 346, 31-38 (1982)
6. Jyh-Shin Chen, Shiuh Chao, Jian-Shiun Kao, Huan Niu and Chih-Hsin Chen, "Mixed films
of TiO2-SiO2 deposited by double electron beam coevaporation", Appl. Opt. 35, 90-96
(1996)
7. Y. tsou and F.C. Ho, "Optical properties of hafnia and coevaporated hafnia:magnesium
fluoride films", Appl. Opt. 35, 5091-5094 (1996)
8. Rung-Ywan Tsai, Mu-Yi Hua and Fang Chuan Ho, "Influences of the deposition rate on the
microstructure and hardness of composite films by reactive ion-assisted coevaporation", Opt.
Eng. 34, 3075-3082 (1995)
9. S.M. Edlou, A. Smajkiewicz and G.A. AI-Jumaily, "Optical properties and environmental
stability of oxide coatings deposited by reactive sputtering", Appl. Opt. 32, 5601-5605
(1993)
10. A. Z611er, R. G/Stzelmann, K. Matl and D. Cushing, "Temperature-stable bandpass filters
deposited with plasma ion-assisted deposition", Appl. Opt. 35, 5609-5612 (1996)
11. M. Cevro and G. Carter, "Ion-beam and dual-ion-beam sputter deposition of tantalum oxide
films", Opt. Eng. 34, 596-606 (1995)
12. N.K. Sahoo and A.P. Shapiro, "Process-parameter-dependent optical and structural
properties of ZrO2MgO mixed-composite films evaporated from the solid solution",
Appi. Opt., 37, 698-718 (1998)
15
13.E.N.FarabaughandD.M.Sanders,"Microstructureof dielectricthinfilms formed by e-beam
coevaporation," J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 1, 356-359 (1983)
14. S.B. Qadri, E.F. Skelton, P.Lubitz, N.V. Nguyen and H.R. Khan, "Electron beam deposition
of ZrO2-ZnO films," Thin Solid Films 290-291, 80-83 (1996)
15. Wen-Chou Tsai and Tseung-Yuen Tseng, "Chracterization of yttria-stabilized zirconia thin
films grown by planar magnetron sputtering", Thin Solid Films 306, 86-91 (1997)
16. Fletcher Jones, "High-rate reactive sputter deposition of zirconium dioxide," J. Vac. Sci.
Technol. A 6, 3088-3097 (1988)
17. D. Reicher and K. Jungling, "Influence of crystal structure on the light scatter of zirconium
oxide films", Appl. Opt. 36, 1626-1637 (1997)
18. R.H.J. Hannink, "Growth morphology of the tetragonal phase in partially stabilized zirconia,
J. Mater. Sci. 13, 2487-2496 (1978)
19. D. L. Porter and A. H. Heuer, "Microstructural development in MgO-stabilized zirconia
(Mg-PSZ)," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 62, 298-305 (1979)
20. C.M. Gilmore, C. Quinn, S.B. Qadri, C.R. Gosset and E.F. Skelton, "Stabilization of
tetragonal ZrO2 with A1203 in reactive magnetron sputtered thin films," J. Vac. Sci. Technol.
A 5, 2085-2087 (1987)
21. O. Ruff and F. Ebert, "Ceramics of highly refractory materials," Z. Anorg. Allgem. Chem.
180, 1_9-41 (1929)
22. P. Duwez and F. Odell, "Phase relationships in the system Zirconia-Ceria," J. Am. Ceram.
Soc. 33, 274-283 (1950)
23. N.K. Sahoo and K.V.S.R. Apparao, "Process-parameter optimization of Sb203 films in the
ultraviolet and visible region for interferometric applications," Appl. Phys. A 63, 195-202
(1996)
24. D. Minkov and R. Swanepoel, "Computer drawing of the envelopes of spectra with
interference", K.H. Guenther ed., Proc. SPIE 1782, 212-220 (1992)
25. A.V. Tikhonravov, M.K. Trubetskov, B.T. Sullivan and J.A. Dobrowolski, "Influence of
small inhomogeneities on the spectral characteristics of single thin films", Appl. Opt., 36,
7188-7198 (1997)
26. J.P. Borgogno, B. Lazarides and E. Pelletier, "Automatic determination of the optical
constants of inhomogeneous thin films," Appl. Opt. 21, 4020-4029 (1982)
16
27. B. Bovard, F.J. Van Milligen, M.J. Messerly, S.G. Saxe and H.A. Macleod, "Optical
constants derivation for an inhomogeneous thin film from in situ transmission
measurements," Appl. Opt. 24, 1803-1807 (1985)
28. E. E. Khawaja, F. Bouamrane, A. B. Hallak, M.A. Daous and M.A. Salim, "Observation ofp
oxygen enrichment in zirconium oxide films," J. Vac. Sci Technol. A 11, 580-587 (1993)
29. Angela Duparra and Stefan Jakobs, "Combination of surface characterization techniques for
investigating optical thin-film components," Appl. Opt. 35, 5052-5058 (1996)
30. F.Biscarini, P. Samor|, A. Lauria, P. Ostoja, R. Zamboni, C. Taliani, P. Viville, R. Lazzaroni
and J.L. Bradas, "Morphology and roughness of high-vacuum sublimed oligomer thin films,"
Thin Solid Films 284-285, 439-443 (1996)
31. H.K. Pulker, Coatings on Glass, 2nd ed. (ELSEVIER, New York, 1984), Chap. 8, p.351
32. R.S. Sennett and G.D. Scott, "The structure of evaporated metal films and their optical
properties", J.O.S.A. 40, 203-211 (1950)
17
Table- 1
Sub. Tempin °C
Ambient
125
Coefficient
'AI'
1.6639
1.8311
Coefficient
'A2'
9.1580
8.8842 x 10-7
Coefficient
'A3'x 10 -4
1.87400
3.68780
Coefficient
'm4'x 106
1.5543
2.1931
5.312 x 10-7
1.65 x 10 "61.8539237
200
2.86700 2.8272
2.4668 2.4521
5.7580 1.9179
1.8451
188 1.8198 3.18 x 10-7
150 1.8017 0.6229 0.60306 2.4575
162 1.7620 12.9887 0.99827 2.0248
175 1.7665 1.8587 0.44437 2.5131
Table - 2
Sub. Tempin °C
Coefficient
'a'
Coefficient
'b'
Coefficient
6C_
Coefficient
'd'
Ambient 8.1092 3.6645 17.3481 0.8219
125 3.4537 3.3418 15.6766 0.7524
8.89491.3125x105 86.7913150 1.9691
200 372.6082 6.0526 59.3817 1.3480
237 4.6715 3.7362 31.7223 0.8296
188 8.0857x104 92.O6508.9568 2.0001
162 2368.7891 6.6936 61.8524 1.4898
175 4827.6977 7.4023 75.2108 1.6514
Caption to Tables
Table 1: Cauchy coefficients for the films deposited under the same rate of deposition
(0.4 nm/s) and with no additional oxygen, but with varying substrate temperatures.
Table 2: Logistic coefficients for the films deposited under the same rate of deposition
(0.4 nm/s) and with no additional oxygen, but with varying substrate temperatures.
Caption to Fiqures
Fig. 1: Transmittance and Reflectance characteristics of the experimental films deposited
under substrate temperature of 200 °C, rate 0.4 nm/s and base value of oxygen
pressure. Interference peaks in the lower end of the spectra have been considerably
modulated because of structural non-linear inhomogeneity.
Fig. 2: Transmittance and Reflectance characteristics of the experimental films deposited
under substrate temperature of 162 °C, rate 0.4 nm/s and oxygen pressure of
5x10 -5 mbar. Interference peaks in the lower end of the spectra have also been
considerably modulated because of structural non-linear inhomogeneity at this
process condition.
Fig. 3: Transmittance and Reflectance characteristics of the experimental films deposited
under two extreme experimental substrate temperatures (ambient and 237 °C), rate
0.4 nm/s and base pressure of oxygen. Dispersive behavior in interference peaks
clearly indicates the absence of non-linear inhomogeneity. On-line optical
monitoring has indicated a fairly homogeneous growth at these conditions.
Fig. 4: Experimental characteristics of an as deposited film measured in air as well as
vacuum. Spectral characteristics have shown almost negligible transition between
both the measurements.
Fig. 5: Spectral variation of mean refractive index with respect to the substrate temperature.
The rates and oxygen pressures were maintained at 0.4 nrn/s and base value
respectively.
Fig. 6: Spectral variation of mean extinction coefficient with respect to the substrate
temperature. The rates and oxygen pressures were maintained at 0.4 nm/s and base
value respectively
Fig.7: Spectralvariationof meanrefractiveindexwith respecttotherateof deposition. The
substrates' temperatures and oxygen pressures were maintained at 162 °C and lxl0 4
mbar respectively.
Fig. 8: Spectral variation of mean extinction coefficient with respect to the rate of
deposition. The substrates' temperatures and oxygen pressures were maintained at
162 °C and lxl0 -4 mbar respectively.
Fig. 9: Spectral variation of mean refractive index with respect to the oxygen pressure. The
rates and substrate temperatures were maintained at 0.4 nrn/s and 162 °C
respectively.
Fig. 10: Spectral variation of mean extinction coefficient with respect to the oxygen pressure.
The rates and substrate temperatures were maintained at 0.4 nm/s and 162 °C
respectively.
Fig. 11: Surface topography of a composite film deposited under optimum rate of deposition.
Fig. 12: Power Spectral Densities (PSDs) and surface roughness of the films deposited under
various substrate temperatures.
Fig. 13: Power Spectral Densities (PSDs) and surface roughness of the films deposited under
various rates of deposition.
Fig. 14: Power Spectral Densities (PSDs) and surface roughness of the films deposited under
various oxygen pressures.
Fig. 15: Bearing Ratio plots for the films deposited under various substrate temperatures.
Fig. 16: Bearing Ratio plots for the films deposited under various rates of deposition.
Fig. 17: Bearing Ratio plots for the films deposited under various oxygen pressures.
Fig. 18: X-ray diffractionpeaksof thefilms depositedundervariousdepositionratesand
oxygenpressures.Someof the films haveshownan extremelyweaktetragonalstructure.
Fig. 19: X-ray diffraction analysisof the films depositedunder different substrate
temperatures.
Fig.20: A typicalEDX analysisspectrumof a film depositedundersubstratetemperature
188°C,rate0.4nrn/sandwithoutanyadditionaloxygen.
Fig.21: EDX analysesof the films showingoxygenpressuredependentcompositionand
meanrefractiveindexvalues.
Fig.22: EDX analysesof thefilmsshowingratedependentcompositionandmeanrefractive
indexvalues.
Fig.23: EDX analysesof thefilms showingsubstratetemperaturedependentcomposition
andmeanrefractiveindexvalues.
Fig.24: Experimentalspectralcharacteristicof a metaldielectricfilter usingAg and the
ternarycomposite.
Fig.25: Experimentalspectralcharacteristicof a metaldielectricfilter usingAg and the
ternarycomposite.
100
Oc-
O
rr
O¢-
c"
t-
90
80
70
60
5O
40
30
20
10
0
Non-linear Inhomogeneity
Temperature=200 °CRate=0.4 nm/s
Oxygen Pressure=Base value
_,,. Reflectance
. 1a s
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Wavelength (nm)
100
(3E
__.__.o_,_o_.__,#,_.moS'--o.._'--,.'--'--*--'_°_'_. --" m'-_-'_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-'_-_S_-'-_'_'_-_-_-_-'-_-_-_-_
90 _
8O
70
i _!! Non-linear InhomogeneityI ® = Oc60 i }! Temperature=162
i _ _-_ ! Rate=0.4 nm/sn-" _: i50 i ='_
_ ' Oxygen Pressure=5xl0 -5 mbar
_- _.:. Reflectance
°Fl!"%
10
0200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Wavelength (nm)
100
(D0c"_S
0(D
i
(Dn.-(1)oc"
EO0c'-o3
!-
90
80
7O
6O
5O
4O
30
2O
10
0
i
(c)
..... .. , _, (b)
- _7 ...-" ,=..,'_ ._z,,- ...." i_ i '_ _ o_I I-airly Homogeneous conditions= i ;e _ El
i
i
i °i #=_- 2:°i
={=! _ _iIi-- e ,.- i
i_'-z!i_ om I
i_8 I' C::
(a)" T=Ambient, R=0.4 nm/s, 02=Base Pressure
(b)' T=237 °C, R=O.4nm/s, 02=Base Pressure
(c)" Substrate Transmittance
(d) • Substrate Reflectance
_, --.... , ,, _s I WI.ll ",...,. _ ........ , /- _Ji_. -.-... / (al /- t._ . "---./ /" " /
" " ". i°J_
(d)I , , , , I , , , , I , , , , I , , i I I , , i , I , , , , I i i i i I , , , ,
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Wavelength (rim)
V
0E:
Ec"
I.-
IO0
9O
80
70
6O
50
" I- i
;., ........_......_.................., ......._.....tcl , _ '!-
. i- i i i _
m ..................................................................................................................... ; .
i
m
40
30 I,,,,i,,,,o,,,,
350 400 450
Air-to-vacuumShift
T=Ambient, R=O.4nm/s, No Oxygen
(a): ........ Measured in Vacuum
(b): _ Measured in Air
(c): ....... Substrate Transmittance
(Sub.: BALZERS BK7)
i
n n I I J u u I u I n o i nllnl i i i i i I I I I
500 550 600 650 700 750
i I I I I i I I I I i I I i i i i iI....................................................................
800 850 900 950
Wavelength (nm)
1.88X
1.84_=>=1.8o
1.76
rr 1.72
1.68I ! I
0 250
2.1.
2.0
>=1.9
_" -g- b
rr "ifc,_ 1.8:_ ................ --"" "-"_'=" "-= --------=-_----- - e
1.7
I I I I I I I I I I I I I al I
200
I]111
400
I
6O0
I ' ' ' I ''' ' I '
800 1000 1200
Wavelength (nm)
I
1400
, i z j
1600
A
," 6e-4
5e-48 4e-4
3e-4
•" 2e-4
_ le-4
® Oe+O
0
1.2e-2
@ X =600nm
' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' '
50 100 150 200 250
Substrate Temperature (°C)
.-.. 1.0e-2
t-
•5 8.0e-3
00,.-- 6.0e-30
._
0t-
x 4.0e-3ILlc
2.0e-3
0.0e+0
(a) :Ambient
(b) :150 °C
(c) "175 °C
(d) :20O°C
Effectof SubstrateTemperature
(e) :125 °C
(f) :162 °C
(g) :188 °c
(h) :237 °C
h a
fc
''''l''''l''',l,l,,I,,,,I,_,,ll,,,i,,,,
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800Wavelength (nm)
1.87X
"o 1.86t-
1.85.>_.0
1.84
_: 1.83!-
_ 1.82
1.81
2.10
i i I ' ' 1 i I i i i i I i i i i I i i , _ I i i
0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0. 1.2Rate (nm/sec)
2.05t-
X2.00
¢-.
._> 1.95ot_
1.90rr¢.-
(D1.85
1.80
Rate Effect
(a) :0.4 nm/s
(b) :0.6 nm/s(c) :0.8 nm/s
(d) :! .0 nm/s
d.Cb
. e
a
i_l lllll iii Iii i Ill II I_l,l_ll iii i i,ll
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Wavelength (nm)
= 5e-4=m
4e-4q)O
3e-4C0= 2e-4¢-
= le-4XUJ
= Oe+O(U_p
=i
1.0e-2
@ X=60 nm
i I ' ' I I I | I I I I I I I I I I I I I [ I
0,4 0,6 0.8 1.0 1,2Rate (nm/sec)
'-" 8.0e-3
6.0e-3 _O
g4.0e-3
E
uJ
2.0e-3
0.0e+0
200
Rate Effect(a) :0.4nm/s
(b) :0.6nm/s
(c) :0.8nm/s
(d) :l.0nm/s
(e) :1.2nm/s
, , , I , , I , I , ,, , I , , ; , I , i , ; I I ,, , I ; , , ,
400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Wavelength (nm)
x 1.84
>_1.8o
1.76
1.72
1.68
2.2
2.1
i-vX
2.0"C}t-
>:= 1.90
rr_ 1.8
1.7
1.6
i
I 1 I I I I I I I I
1.0e-5 1.0e-4 1.0e-3Oxygen Pressure (mbar)
Oxygen Effect(a) :Base Pressure(b) :5x10 S mbar
•1x10 .4mbar(_)) :3x10 .4 mbar
(e) :6x10-4 mbar
(f) :8x10 4 mbar
b
_............................. c. -da
-- e
f
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Wavelength (nm)
*_ 5e-4¢...m
_= 4e-40o ae-40= 2e-4t-
._
_ le-4c-
o Oe+O
8.0e-3
7.0e-3
+-- 6.0e-3c-O
._
5.0e-3o0o,-- 4.0e-30
._
,-" a.0e-a°_
XW,-- 2.0e-3
_ 1.0e-3
O.Oe+O
@ _ =600nm
I I I Ill I
1.0e-5
| I I l I I I I I I I I|| ] I i I | I I I I I I I I l|ll
_ 1.0e-4 1.0e-3Oxygen P'ressure (mbar)
Effect Of Oxygen Pressure
(a) :Ambient (b) :5xl0Smbar
(c) lxl04mbar (d) :3xl04mbar
(e) :6xl0-4mbar (f) :8xl04mbar
t
=-....--._.
=_-" ...... . . ='t .r. - =_
,,,,I_,_I,,, _I_,_,I,,,|I,_,,i,_,i_,_,
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800Wavelength (nm)
Area Ra=1.0389 nmArea RMS=1.3019 nm
Average Height=-9.2630 nm(Temp=162C, R=l.0nmls, Oxy=l.0e-4mbar)
19.34 nm
9.67 nm
0 nm
lOMm
10/Jm
0 #m0 .urn
i
10 3
"_ 10 2
am
-- 101,.f.,.i0(3.)
03,- 100(D
0EL
10 -1
10-2
5 !
I I
< ]
0 I . , ,• • ' I_'o _;o _;o 2ooTemperature (°C)
iI I I,,i , , , , , ,
250
, l l i i I
0.1
I I I I I I I I I
1 10
Spatial Frequency (k) (_m 1)
Temperature Effect
(a) ..... Ambient
(b) ..... 125°C
(c)-- 150°C
(d) -- 162°C
(e) -- 175°C
(f) .... 188°C
(g).... 200°C
(h)--237°C
Defects w
10 3
>.,10 2
C(1)
-_ 101t_
COQ)Q.
100
no10 -1
10-2
I l I I I I i I I I I I I I I
-3.5v
3.0
_) 2.5
rr
2.0rr
1.52
1.0 .................
0'4 0'6 0'8 1 IO 1 '2
Rate (nm/s)
Rate Effect
(a) -- O.4nm/s
(b) ...... 0.6nm/s
(c) -- O.8nm/s
(d)- 1.0nm/s
(e) -- 1.2nm/s
I I I I I I I I I
0.1 1 10
Spatial Frequency (k) (pm 1)
.' I_ ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' I ' '
10 4
10 3
•_ 10 2C::
a
t0
(3
¢_ 01= 1
I1)
0
10 o
10 -1
10 -2
immm
m
mmmm
i
m
u
..mmmmm
n
%
%
6 |
%
%
b
%%
%
%
%
%
!oxv0 n,.ect/I (a)-- Ambient III (b) ...... 5xl0-5mbar I
I (cl--lx O-"rnbarIII <dl--3xlO"mbar IIJ (e) ..... 6xlO4mbar II
t
tt
/,
........ i ........
10 "s 10 .4 10 .3
Oxygen Pressure (mbar)
,I , , , , , , ,,I I I I I
0.1 1
%
%
I I I I I
10
Spatial Frequency (k) (p.m1)
v
Oim
rrQ3(--
im
(1)rn
100
80
60
4O
20
0
: l
t I : I• I
._.... ........ o ......... : ...... I...
|: I i,,I: I
|
II I i
!i II
::i_. _ _c,'1 I
ili I i::i_. I ,. o I I
ili ....I. i|I | : 1• | I
Ii 1I.i Iid I:
:h!i ig ', ::"' . ,
I i I_ i._I,
I I :l :I
Temperature Effect
(a) --Ambient
(b) -- 125C
(c)-- _5oc(d) -- 162C
(e)--- 175C
(f) ..... 188C
(g).... 2ooc(h) .... 230C
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Roughness (Z- Level) (nm)
m
m
.,l_ ....../ l::
S" j, °" _
s" / m'i""" /" m "i "
.- ...... _ !; .....: t -.
" S" I _: ..
iZ" '-o...,'! a /
...... _ .................... _ ................ : .............. .'_,, _" _ " : ...................... : _,_Jl_" ............... : ......
.....:, / .......::':: ............... ,_,::,,::'......-': ......................:......................;......" :i ' .... :- ....... : ................. : - : '
:" ," J'" i .- " it lit I _ , ,
/ --• - -_- -_ ......... i ..................... _ ...................... _ ..........................................
S :
_ :
i
I I l
0
,,,,,,,,,l,,,,,,,,,l,,,,,,,,,l,,,,,,,,,l,,,,,,,,,l,,,
0 0 0 0 0CO E) _" CM
0e,,I
L'M
0
O0
CO
0
EE:
V
i
(1)>(3.)
/I
NV
CO
E(...ET)
Orr
(%) o!},el::l 6u!Jee
V
0im
rrQ-)E:
.i lullll
rn
IO0
80
60
40
20
0
llul_allm_ml_llD_o • • • O I
%C %
I_ ,.f'-...e_ -;, %.
--_--- ",.:- I---_. ............................................ _-.... !..................................: "1 t I-
Oxygen Effect
(a) -- Base Pressure
(b) -- 5e-5mbar
(c) ---i--. le-4mbar
(d) -- 3e-4mbar
(e)--- 6e-4mbar)
(f) -- 8e-4mbar
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Roughness (Z-level) (nm)
1600
t(1)
"C)
m
C)..
E,,<(1)
=m
m
(1)or"
1400
1200
1000
800
60O
400
200
030 35 40
XRD-Analysis for the Films deposited under different Rates
& Oxygen pressures but at same Substrate Temperature (@ T=162°C)
...........i.........._:;:--_:_
i
(a)" R=.4nm/s, O2=5xl05mbar
(b) • R=O.Snm/s,i O2=_ xlO'4mbar
(c): R=O.8nm/s, 02=l'xlO4mba'ri i ! ,
(d)" R-1 .Onto/s, Oe=lXlO4mbar, i ; i
(e)" R-1.2nmls, 02-1x104mbar
(d)
45 50 55 60 65
2e70 75 80
X-Ray Diffraction Analysis
, , , , I , , ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I1
• MCF @T=Ambient __
._ _ MCF @ T=237 °C -
_" L (Amorphous Structure)
CD
_3
t32
Blank Substrate
" I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80
2e =
I.... I''''1 .... I''''1 .... I''
CO _1" O ¢O 04 CO(30 CO CO I_ I"- _O
_ _ 31"" _ '_
"t
X
N
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